Rick 
Posts:1
Newbie
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| 01/08/2009 4:29 PM |
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newbie who started on monday. i'm constantly on the road, and have been eating by sherlock/dining out tips. problem is all i want to do is take a nap. i have no energy and falling a sleep at the wheel isn't good. the added lack of focus, headaches, and hunger isn't helping either. btw does the peeing ever stop? i can drive 80 miles if i'm lucky before i gotta go. i've been home for 24 hours, and have eaten nice meals from the 7 day intro book. still feel the same though. any suggestions for the weary traveler?
oh and where would a dannon lite and fit yougurt fit into the zone. i needed a snack. never tried yogurt and found the cherry and blueberry ones rather tasty. |
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Sue K
Posts:10512
Zone Expert
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| 01/08/2009 4:49 PM |
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Hi Rick!
Eating on the road for your first week probably isn’t helping things (some meals might not have been quite balanced, demonstrated by your symptoms of wanting a nap and lacking focus), but give it some time. It takes 4 days of consecutively eating Zone balanced meals and snacks to lower insulin into the Zone. Also, headaches are experienced by 25% of newbies due to an initial release of AA as you begin to burn stored body fat. Hang in there a bit longer. It should start to get better.
If you continue to feel lack of focus and the need for a nap when eating Zone balanced meals, it indicates you need to adjust by cutting out 1 carb block from each meal.
Plain yogurt with a few nuts (or with some vanilla extact and peanut butter mixed in) would be a better choice.
Keep us updated!
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Cranberrycat
Posts:6019
Zone Expert
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| 01/08/2009 9:48 PM |
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Hi, Rick!
My DH has a similar problem. He is on the road a lot, so he exists on restaurant food. I have been trying to help him out a lot this week by sending him on his way with some ready-made lunches that don't require any heating up. I don't know if this is possible in your case, though.
The Sherlock Zone articles are really just suggestions on the best things to eat at selected restaurants, but they are not necessarily "favorable". Like, for instance, the grilled chix sandwiches. It may be balanced if eaten the way it is described, but the bun is still unfavorable carb. Another example is the egg mcmuffin at McD's. Sears has stated that this is a "balanced" breakfast item (perhaps higher in fat, but otherwise good). However, I NEVER do well with this breakfast--I get hungry within a few hours of eating those little sandwiches.
So, if you can manage it, it might work for you to think about things that you can take along with you on your road trips to supplement your road meals. Maybe you could still have that grilled chix sandwich, but then remove it from the bun and eat it with an apple and baby carrots that you brought along, as well as some nuts for your fat. Also, perhaps not very exciting, but you could keep some tuna pouches in the vehicle for a source of protein.
I hope some of these suggestions will work for you, and maybe others have some suggestions, as well. |
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Marie
Posts:41
Aspiring
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| 01/09/2009 12:38 PM |
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I just thought of one question, I understand that you should try to pick fav carbs, but there is something a bit confusing that I have been thinking about when reading posts, it is to watch how do you feel after a meal. Just like cranberrycat suggest to rick that grabbing a grilled chicken sandwich or a mcmuffin (if it works for him), or when someone suggests about a protein bar of "X" brand..... well my question is: "if I feel satisfied with a meal that has unfav carbs (not only the 25% reccomended but more) is that still considered a zone meal, a meal good for me??? I ask this because I just try to follow the plan so perfect that if I don't I just trow the towel and wait to the "next" day....  then this cycle seems to never end!!! I remember years ago when reached my "ideal" weight I was having balanced meals (like zones but with more unfav carbs ex, bread, rice, tortillas etc...) and worked perfect for me I ate like that for almost a year but then just stop watching what I was eating and just keep making wrong choices and weight just came back and started a yo-yo diet cycle that I havent' been able to break.
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Cranberrycat
Posts:6019
Zone Expert
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| 01/09/2009 12:47 PM |
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Marie,
Yes, some people are "lucky" and can tolerate more unfavorable carbs in their meal. So, if you can stay in the Zone with balanced zone meals that have a higher % of unfavorable carb, then consider yourself lucky! |
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Marie
Posts:41
Aspiring
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| 01/09/2009 1:53 PM |
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Thanks alot CC for answering so quick! Then let me just ask you this... if I do not feel hungry after a meal (for at least 4hrs) eventhough that I had some unfav carbs that means that that's a good combination for my self? You are great for this forum you and sue are so king to take the time to answer to all of our questions...thanks alot and have a great 2009!!!  |
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Sue K
Posts:10512
Zone Expert
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| 01/09/2009 2:37 PM |
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Hi Marie!
The fact that you don't feel the effects of the increased % of higher density carb you eat does not necessarily mean that it is fine for you to eat it. Regularly eating outside the guidelines of the Zone will most likely work against you and increase your levels of silent inflammation. If you want to be in the Zone and enjoy the benefits you will need to consistently follow Zone guidelines most of the time.
I've helped many of people with the Zone who don't feel the effects of the carb they are eating , even when those carbs are working against them. Here's an example. For more than 6 months, I've been helping 2 individuals in particular with the Zone diet who do not notice feeling different after a meal that contains too much high density carb. They continue to balance their meals according to Zone rules except the part about using high density carbs as condiments. They stick with balanced blocks, but for many of their meals they choose too many high density carbs for their carb blocks. They are both obese and are not buring their stored fat (one with the same body fat % as at the start and the other increased a little; both still wearing the same size clothes as when they began the Zone). Not only that but their fasting insulin blood tests have not improved.
About throwing in the towel if you're not perfect, no one's perfect! Try not to be so hard on yourself! :-)
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Marie
Posts:41
Aspiring
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| 01/09/2009 2:47 PM |
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| Thank Sue, it all makes sense with the examples that you are giving me. I was just a bit confusing when reading about foods that were not exactly zone balanced but that worked for some peole. I guess this is just a mere of not giving out and taking it day by day. By the way, your recipes post are great thanks for responding!!!! |
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Sue K
Posts:10512
Zone Expert
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| 01/09/2009 3:37 PM |
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My pleasure Marie!
Yes, one meal at a time is a good way to think about it. One meal isn't overwhelming. Glad you like my meal thread. I might be addiing to it tonight. I'm trying somethign new. We'll see!
Have a good weekend!
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Cranberrycat
Posts:6019
Zone Expert
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| 01/09/2009 5:54 PM |
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Marie,
My opinion on this might be a bit different than Sue's, but I think that Sears has said in his books that there are some folks who are genetically engineered to handle a greater amount of carb, or a larger percentage of unfavorable carb. It all comes down to each individual. No one is the same, and no one reacts in the same way.
Now, I would not advise consistently eating 100% unfavorable carb at each meal, but some people are just more tolerant to unfavorable meals than others. |
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Karen
Posts:868
Zoner
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| 01/09/2009 8:12 PM |
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Marie, I agree with CC in that some people are genetically made to tolerate more dense carbs than others, but I believe this to be a low percent. Some people may be able to lose weight while eating more than 25% of high density carbs on a regular basis, but that doesn't mean there isn't silent inflammation going on inside the body. I know several naturally thin people who can eat anything want and never gain a lb, but they aren't healthy - not according to their blood work! Personally, Marie, I would eat high density carbs in moderation and limit them to 25% of total carbs for the meal. I believe the basis of the Zone lifestyle is eat healthy to be healthy ... the weight loss is just a nice benefit.
Happy Zoning!
Karen
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Sue K
Posts:10512
Zone Expert
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| 01/09/2009 8:17 PM |
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Hi Marie!
Just a heads up. The statement I made about silent inflammation is not simply my opinion. It's what Dr. Sears has explained.
Good Luck! :-) |
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Cranberrycat
Posts:6019
Zone Expert
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| 01/09/2009 8:29 PM |
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Marie, just to add to what Karen said, it IS a low percentage of people who can tolerate the higher carb/glycemic load. Sears mentioned this population of people in Mastering the Zone as the "lucky ones" (and I forget the actual % that he names, but it is a low number).
I wouldn't recommend trying to Zone by continuously going beyond 25% unfavorable carb, either. But, as I indicated before, you may be able to tolerate better than others, when you do.
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Marie
Posts:41
Aspiring
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| 01/19/2009 5:13 PM |
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| Hi, thanks all of you for your responses. I have to agree on trying to eat the least amount (25%) of unfavorable carbs at each meal. I do remember though reading on one of the books that the people with blood type A tolarate more the unfav carbs tan "o" types (I am "A") so I was a little confuse beacuse I keep reading that some foods with unfav carbs can be tolarated some (an example the zone perfect bar), but it all makes sense with the "silent inflammation". Well, I guess that I need to do my best on eating more of the fav carbs. Thanks again Sue, CC and Karen!!!! |
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Sue K
Posts:10512
Zone Expert
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| 01/19/2009 5:41 PM |
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| You're welcome Marie! I remember Barry Sears brief mention of the blood type differences in an earlier Zone book. I think it's important to remember there are a lot of genetic variables which would make it impossible to fit everyone neatly into a box. |
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David
Posts:27
Aspiring
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| 01/21/2009 11:34 AM |
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Just wanted to jump in for a note about eating on the road. If a person has time to stop for dinner at a fast food place it was written in some journal that going to a store deli is easier, faster and cost less than fast food.
Example would be for a 4 block meal: Deli Turkey 6oz, Apple and Orange and 12 almonds. This is inexpensive and very easy to eat. I grant you that this may sound simple but i have tried it and have been very happy with results for me. A person can change the carbs to match their preferrence. Cat or Sue may have a better solution but this works for me. Hope yo can stay i nthe Zone..
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Sue K
Posts:10512
Zone Expert
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| 01/21/2009 1:03 PM |
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| Great advice David. I've done the same on many occasions. It's an easy way to eat in the Zone in a limited offering cafeteria setting too. There's usually always some deli meat choice, or a tuna sanwich (just be sure to discard the bread). I've also stopped at a grocery store and picked up deli meat, chicken salad, or tuna salad, a small bag of pre-cut fresh carrots and a box of strawberries, or a peach, or some grapes, etc. I keep nuts in my bag, so I usually have Zone friendly fat with me. Dr. Sears Zone bars are my other standby. I always keep a couple of those with me too. |
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Cranberrycat
Posts:6019
Zone Expert
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| 01/21/2009 3:24 PM |
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| David, I do the same thing, when available--we have a chain of gas station convenience stores that carry some zonable foods like fresh fruit, boiled eggs, string cheese, carrot sticks, nuts, etc. So, if I am in a bind, I will go with this, as well. |
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